Aldi has reclaimed its position as the most budget-friendly supermarket in the UK, according to recent research conducted by consumer group Which?. The study compared the prices of a shopping list comprising 70 items across various supermarkets. The average cost of the items at Aldi was £121.22 last month, making it slightly cheaper than Lidl, which came in at £122.35, and Tesco, where the total cost was £136.20.
On the other end of the spectrum, Waitrose emerged as the most expensive option, with the same list of items totaling £166.79 on average. This highlights a significant cost difference, with families potentially saving over £45 by choosing Aldi or Waitrose for their grocery needs.
Which? conducts this comparison monthly, analyzing the prices at eight different supermarket chains for a set selection of products, including both own-label and branded items like Birds Eye peas and Hovis bread.
In a separate analysis of a larger list of 183 groceries, excluding Aldi and Lidl due to their limited range of branded products, Asda stood out as the most economical choice, with an average cost of £455.52 last month. This was significantly lower than the total at Waitrose, which amounted to £522.91 – a notable difference of £67.39.
Reena Sewraz, Which? retail editor, emphasized the importance of price comparison, noting that while Aldi currently offers the best value, Lidl remains a competitive option for cost-conscious consumers. As the holiday season approaches, she advised shoppers to explore different supermarkets to maximize savings, as the price variations could amount to as much as 27%.